CHAPTER 359

H.P. 1106 - L.D. 1568

An Act To Allow Nurse Practitioners To Sign Death

Certificates

Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, nurse practitioners' signatures on death certificates will provide convenience to families and save money by utilizing appropriate and close-by medical personnel; and

Whereas, amending the law to allow for death certificate signatures by nurse practitioners at the earliest possible date will begin the realization of savings immediately; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §2842, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2003, c. 74, §1 and c. 689, Pt. B, §6, is further amended to read:

2. Medical certificate by physician or nurse practitioner. The medical certification of the cause of death must be completed in typewritten or legibly hand-printed style and signed in a